Occasional vomiting - what could it be?

[GrumpyOldBag]

For some time now my teenage DS has suffered from occasional bouts of vomiting - not food related or flu as far as we can tell.

It happens every few months, he feels sick, throws up a couple of times, then starts to feel better.

We went to GP in the summer as I was worried about it affecting his exams, GP said it was probably acid reflux & prescribed Gaviscon.

This hasn't made a difference. Just had another bout tonight.

DH wants a return visit to GP & demand a referral to see a gastric specialist. We have medical insurance through his job. I'm not sure it's that serious.

Any ideas?

Poor boy. Could it be an allergic reaction?

Does it always happen at the same time of day? My son was diagnosed with cyclical vomiting syndrome after being sick every fortnight for about 6 months. It always happens early in the morning and he is sick for a few hours then is better. Think CVS usually starts at a younger age though but I found that the GP didn't know much about it and asked to be referred to a gastric consultant.

Well if it were me, would go and see the specialist. Can't do any harm to see can you figure it out. As he gets older he might want to go and stay away from home on trips etc, it would be no harm to see can you figure what triggers it.
It's not usual for people to just suddenly feel ill and throw up.
If you have a wall calendar, stick a page at the back, and take notes aboutr about what he did that weekend, and what foods were eaten. Did he do any strenuous exercise the day, he got sick or the day before he got sick, for example. Like could it be dehydration the next day or something...

Abdominal migraine?

Thanks for all the comments. DS is actually 18 now so relatively independent.

Always happens at night time, doesn't appear to be related to what he's eaten or done that day as there's never a pattern.

I think I'll give the GP a call & see if we can get the referral to the specialist without having to wait 3 weeks for an appointment. Don't want to compromise his A levels.

Another vote for migraines. They don't always include the head pain. Commonly misdiagnosed in teenage boys AFAIK.